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Not in the Aussies' most optimistic hopes could they have believed they'd find themselves leading two-nil in this Ashes series after playing only six days of play.

The hosts were placed under severe pressure by England during the opener at the WACA, before executing a remarkable turnaround.

It put them on a wave of self-belief going into the Brisbane encounter, where they gave England a lesson in how to play the longest format, particularly day-night Test cricket.

A Critical Juncture

The contest remains alive, but it's perilously close. Should England don't win the third Test, the situation could become embarrassing.

I got a close look of England's approach throughout the 2023 Ashes on English soil. Despite all the discussion regarding this trip representing their opportunity to ultimately secure a series down under, existed considerable doubt in this country about the way the English team performs.

Would England's batting be appropriate for Australian conditions? Would they attempt big shots and find ways to get out? Might they collapse when pressure mounted of the big moments?

At present, all of the Australian observers who expressed doubts about England are being proved validated.

Mindset and Responsibility

There is much I like regarding England's mindset. I love it when athletes play without fear, because that helps them to extend the limits of what is possible.

But I don't like the idea that external pressure or high expectations needs to be removed. Elite performers excel when challenged, and the best teams hold each other are accountable.

"Indeed, there existed the coaches such as Simpson and Buchanan, but it was the captain and experienced players who always ran the dressing room."

Even when a young player, I believed I had permission to voice my opinion. Every player assumed ownership for the squad's performance.

Then, if a player deviated from the standard, they were held accountable from their teammates. If someone made an error on more than one occasion - which didn't happen frequently - they were told.

The Australian Blueprint

We had several dominant characters - none bigger than the legendary Shane Warne - yet we collectively believed that what we were doing was for the team and our comrades. Matthew Hayden used to say we pulled together because of the love we had for each other, such was the amount of time we spent together.

That sense of duty, obligation and adaptability all came together as we walked onto the pitch as a unit.

Certainly, all of these things are easier while a side is winning, which England are currently not experiencing at this moment.

Examining the Approach

My worry for England was the message of a rigid style yielded a culture that lacks personal responsibility.

It seemed that England had decided conditions had to adapt to their game, rather than the team adjusting their strategy to suit the conditions.

Finally, in the aftermath of the loss in Brisbane, it looks like realisation has dawned.

Captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum acknowledged problems exist, and they need take action to address them.

I have no issue with the statements the English leadership said in public at the Gabba. Should the captain and coach have been strong publicly, one can be sure they have been even more even stronger in private meetings.

Evolution Required

Will we now see an evolved form of Bazball? Like I said, I support the aspect of competing fearlessly. Provided England can incorporate the ingredients of embracing pressure and mutual accountability, then they may still possess to something.

For all that England have been criticised, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit.

Had England had been told they would play an Australian side lacking Pat Cummins, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have felt rubbing their hands with anticipation.

Nevertheless, Australia achieved victory in Brisbane with each of their remaining players standing up.

Key Performers for Australia

Pacer Mitchell Starc has been exceptionally brilliant, ably assisted by Michael Neser, Boland and Brendan Doggett.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey delivered a flawless exhibition with the gloves, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I played with Healy and Gilchrist.

Maybe the most significant discovery from an Australian perspective is the shift in the batting order.

Prior to the contest, when there seemed to be a lot of debate about the Australia line-up, I said there was only really a debate about one area - batter Usman Khawaja's opening partner.

That debate has been settled, simply not in the manner anyone predicted.

Settling the Order

Ever since Batsman Travis Head stuck his hand up to bat as an opener following Khawaja's injury during the Perth Test, Australia have looked transformed. Now, there seems there is a chance for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to establish themselves as the first-wicket duo.

Khawaja could face difficulty to regain his place, despite the coach Andrew McDonald has suggested he might feature at number five.

Absences and the Next Challenge

Injuries will result in England's Mark Wood and Australia's Josh Hazlewood being absent for the third Test and the remainder of the series.

That is an unfortunate situation for both athletes. I understand how much hard work required to bowl quickly, the effort involved in coming back from setbacks, and how desperate both would have been to participate fully in this series. They are surely devastated.

Adelaide will be a quality surface, offering something for batters and bowlers alike. Australia will undoubtedly recall Lyon and it seems Cummins will be back to lead.

The Final Word

Australia will remember how England recovered from 2-0 down to draw the last Ashes. They will know England are dangerous.

This time, they have England in a stranglehold and must not relent just because key players are coming back. They must avoid get complacent.

An Australia team should always think it is capable of winning every Test it plays, therefore this squad ought to be aiming about winning five-nil whitewash.

England will know they are compelled but to turn things around at Adelaide. Failure to do so, then it really could be 5-0.